Arena Profile: Jennifer Palmieri

Jennifer Palmieri is the Senior Vice President for Communications at American Progress. Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Palmieri was the National Press Secretary for the 2004 Edwards for President campaign. She held the position of National Press Secretary for the Democratic National Committee during the 2002 election cycle, and is an eight year veteran of the Clinton White House. Ms. Palmieri was a White House Deputy Press Secretary from 1998 to 2001. She also served in the White House as a Special Assistant to White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta and Deputy Director of Scheduling and Advance. Her career in politics began in the Congressional office of Congressman Leon Panetta (D-CA). She is a graduate of the American University in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Palmieri's Recent Discussions

Obama comeback possible?

The first lady's health food push

A Gallup poll shows that Clinton's re-elect number was also 38 percent in October 1994. So not sure this number represents a situation President Obama needs to "turn around." Seems kind of affirming, actually.

The left's labor pains

Plus: Nuclear fallout from the D.C. summit

I have enormous respect for what Andy Stern has accomplished and the work he undertakes every day to fight for working families (whether they are members of a union or not). But anyone who thinks that if Andy Stern departs he will "leave a hole at the top of labor infrastructure" has clearly never met Anna Burger.

POLITICO Debate: The Waxman-Markey Bill

I continue to be amused by the Chamber of Commerce's assertion that it "supports comprehensive clean energy legislation" while working to kill every attempt by Congress or the administration to regulate carbon. As the fissures in the Chamber's energy coalition grow, at some point, they are going to have to realize they are sitting on the wrong side of the debate and the wrong side of history. For all their members like Nike and Starbucks who are supporting Waxman/Markey, the Chamber should stop stalling and just do it.

Will Tim Geithner's tax problem derail his nomination to Treasury? Should it?

Politico's editors have chosen to lead the site with the headline "PR Push May Save Geithner." I am pretty sure the facts are what will save Geithener. (Btw, I don't think that putting out a statement from the Press Secretary and circulating talking points counts as a major "PR Push" by the Obama team to save Geithner. I refer you to Roland Burris' actions over the past two weeks to see what a "PR push" looks like).

In the four posts Politico currently has up on Geithner, there is not one Republican saying they are going to oppose his nomination because of the tax problem. Senators Kyl and Bunning have used their prerogative within the Senate Finance Committee to delay Geithner's hearing. But they have not said they would oppose him. Senators Hatch and Gregg have come out in support of Geithner. In the end, I think my friend Steve Elmendorf has this right. There may be some fussing by the press and a couple of Republicans. But the facts are on Geithner's side, and in the face of an overwhelming economic crisis, Republicans will ultimately not want to stand in the way of the confirmation of - as Senator Gregg described - an "extraordinarily qualified" nominee.

Is Harry Reid good or bad for the Democrats?

Meaning no offense to our esteemed moderator, the question is ridiculous. Under his leadership, we are preparing to swear in our 59th Democratic Senator. Moreover, Senator Reid led the Democratic caucus successfully out of its wilderness years and stands poised to help progressives reap the benefits of those efforts. He was been an outspoken progressive voice for decades - and done so consistently when it was not popular or politically safe to do so. There are not enough like him.

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About the Arena

The Arena is a cross-party, cross-discipline forum for intelligent and lively conversation about political and policy issues. Contributors have been selected by POLITICO staff and editors. David Mark, Arena's moderator, is a Senior Editor at POLITICO. Each morning, POLITICO sends a question based on that day's news to all contributors.